I don’t like to look back, for there is when I fail in moving forward – is what I am thinking this first day of June and hoping we are nearing the end of this long journey to keep our world safe and pray that mankind will find their way to a peaceful resolution to whatever their cause. After experiencing a severe anxiety attack this weekend, I decided this month I want to dedicate to my self care, focusing even more on the beautiful things around the world. Gardens For This Day… Source

I love the end of May in the city. Because it is the only week before the actual summer we get sun, warm temperatures, and no wind or very minimal. Everyone is out this week, walking naturally this year, or sitting six feet apart at the beach or the parks. So with that mood, I feel the need to share a few lovely things on this Wednesday. Featured image source, 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5

In light of the fact we are all learning the basics all over again, I was thinking we can use some useful suggestions to help us along. Have you discovered helpful suggestions you’d like to share? {featured image source and full credit}

The success of the home schooling post is beyond my expectation, so naturally ‘why change a good thing?’ 🙂 Are we ready parents? Here’s what we are brushing up on today – There is a quiz at the end of each lesson – feel free to partake and have some fun.

I stayed in bed this morning, and went back to sleep. I guess my body was telling me I needed to slow down or take a few moments to simply relax. I it seemed the universe was sensing my need, because all of a sudden, out of nowhere I heard classical music. So I finally opened my eyes to see where the beautiful rendition was coming from. Naturally discovering from my phone – in case you must know , it was Symphony no 3 in F, Op. 90:2 Andante performed by Berliner Philharmoniker & Claudio Abaddo – making me feel as if I’d woken up in a field of Spring flowers, and a dozen or more butterflies fluttering all around. It actually was a nice change to my usual quiet crawl out of bed at 4 in the morning to relieve my dog and feed him, and jump on the computer for work – since I’m part of a global software company – we tend to redefine normal work hours. The idea of waking up …

I went for a long walk across the city, through neighborhoods I assumed would be less crowded. But I think I’ve seen more humans walking about the city during the social distancing then I used to in the past years, doing the walk. It was the most invigorating feeling to see families walking together, talking, and while wearing masks, keeping their distance. I prepared lunch for myself, thinking I might eat while I walked, since the park I normally go to with these walks might be closed. Instead, there were signs at every entrance to the park, simply asking that we keep six-feet apart, but take our time to enjoy the park. So I sat on a bench, ate my sandwich and grapes, and stared out to the views of the ocean. The most interesting gatherings in the park were families, or friends, who met up, and sat six feet apart on blankets, and enjoyed catching up in person. I suppose this was a good idea or one that’s been happening for the duration? I …

What’s for dinner is the topic of discussion every morning when I run upstairs to my mother’s house and help with breakfast. She says good morning, I say hello, and she says, so what’s for dinner tonight? I mean I know you are working from home and I don’t want to bother you, but what are the plans for dinner? and I look at my watch. 🙂 Then I go downstairs to my home-office space and search frantically for a creative meal that she would enjoy also. Because the last thing I want to hear when I ask her how dinner was, is – oh its fine – meanwhile I’m having seconds. So, for dinner tonight – we are having this recipe for eggplant Parmesan – did you know male eggplants are better tasting then the female since they have less seeds? I didn’t know, but learned it now. Also technically, my eggplant Parmesan will be more of an eggplant lasagna – since I will be adding pasta-lasagna in between the eggplant and cheese layers. …

Some ingredients are hard to find at the grocery store, so I’ve been improvising – to create meals I’be been craving from evenings out with friends at a local Asian fusion restaurant. Mind you, these are not my recipes, but ones I find online with the ingredients and ease of prepping ideal. Because for me – time is valuable – and spending too much time over a hot stove takes away that much time from the eating ritual in my home – with spirits and loaded conversations – fun ones of course – since who wants to be brimmed with anxiety over a meal? For dinner tonight – I will make this chicken and garlic noodle dinner with a few minor adjustments – due to shortage of ingredients or some I don’t care for. INGREDIENTS 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons corn starch or flour 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper 3 tablespoons sesame oil or extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup low sodium soy sauce – I will use Worcestershire Sauce, since allergic to …

Hello Everyone – hope you had a lovely weekend, or made it lovely in your own creative way during these difficult of times. I have to say, I tried my best to focus only on the good over the weekend, even while the weather outside was gloomy, and the lockdown in full force, I felt the goodness of Easter by… Watching the heart-warming concert – by Andrea Bocelli Made Easter Sunday Roast with my mother – which is both funny and sad, because I am forcing her to remember all of her old-world recipes and after the challenge of producing the final meal, she reminds me she’d forgotten an ingredient or two. I took several virtual tours of Italy and allowed the experience to take me away Watched a pretty funny – cheesy rom-com on Netflix which reminded me so much of Four Weddings and A Funeral And for sure the winner of happiest moments was watching an in-home Easter egg hunt over FaceTime with loved ones currently on lock down in England It is …